Here are some resources that can be helpful in creating and equipping your Dark Frontier character:
SHOOTIN' IRONS:
EDISON: These gummy pistols and rifles are the classic ones that we love so! The Edison Magnum revolver is the game standard revolver. They are both realistic in appearance and accurate in firing. The other smaller revolvers such as the Fred Murray revolver are also perfectly acceptable. The rifles & shotguns are all excellent choices for the game as well. Mike Peterson shotgun, Speedy Kid lever action rifle, Johnny Palmer revolver carbine, Olympic Over/Under shotgun and Hawkins muzzle-loading rifle. (GM NOTE - I do NOT recommend the Hawkins rifle for our game. It looks great, but without serious modification, it has very poor range and functionality.) Extra gummy round's for these toy guns are a must and available, though they can be expensive. Cheap foam swords are also available. WEBSITE: www.kapowwe.com/mm5/merchant.mvc put "gummy" in the search field to see all the gummy items and their availability. NOTE: Kapowee appears to the only major importer of the Edison line, so their prices are usually the highest around and availability fluctuates regularly. Checking Ebay under "Edison Gun" or "Edison Ammo" can sometimes turn up these items, likely around the same price. But as anything at auction, Caveat Emptor.
PARRIS: This manufacturer that appears to make knock-off versions of the Edison revolver, shotgun, lever action rifle AND revolver carbine (JUST discovered there this weekend!) as well as gummy ammo. They are priced a little cheaper than Kapowwe. WEBSITE: www.Amazon.comput "parris sportsman" in the search field. www.basspro.com search field terms "revolver toy" and "rubber ammo" (On the listing for the rubber ammo, the page indicates that they have the Sportsman Shotgun as well, but my search turned up nothing, perhaps they are out of stock.) NOTE: For some reason though, the lever action won't come up, so just find it towards the bottom of the page of the Sportsman shotgun. It it possible that the Parris guns are available elsewhere but this is where they were first found.
NERF: With a good paint job (and a re-sculpt if you are so inclined) some of these weapons (found at Target or Toys R Us or other local retailers) will also be good weapons for the game. Remember, we want it to look wild west like... a bit of a steampunk flair is perfectly fine. Examples: From the N-Strike line- Maverick, Longstrike, Secret Strike, the guns from the Quick Blast set or the Attack Unit. From the N-Force line, the swords, axe or mace. And of course, more ammo is always a wise investment. www.hasbro.com/nerf (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
NXT GENERATION: Recently I found that Bass Pro Shops was carrying toy guns for kids. As listed above under PARRIS, they sell the Sportsman Revolver and the Mike Peterson Shotgun. I also found a much nicer pump action toy shotgun that looks accurate and fires nerf darts at Bass Pro Shop. The reviews are mixed and it sounds like it would need a spring mod to give it some extra distance and accuracy. I'll try to check it out after Game 1, but in time for Game 2 in case players want to invest the time and money. LINK: http://www.basspro.com/NXT-Generation-Toy-Shotgun-for-Kids/product/10209036/-1762467
Also, non-Nerf foam weapons can be found searching here or other retail sites using Toy Zone or Buzz Bee as the key phrase. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
As with all toy guns and melee weapons in DARK FRONTIERS, the GM has the final say on whether they are usable for game.
FANCY DUDS!
WALKER 47 Period accurate western costuming, boots and hats. WEBSITE: www.walker47.com RETAIL INFO: Walker 47 1238 S. Beach Blvd. #K (in Hobby City) Anaheim, CA 92804. CONTACT: Telephone: (714) 484-8171, fax (714) 484-8179; email: info@walker47.com
COUNTRY GENERAL STORE Contemporary western wear. WEBSITE: www.countrygeneralstore.com . RETAIL INFO: Country General Store 6279 Van Nuys Blvd Van Nuys CA 91401. CONTACT: Phone 818-782-8327 or 800-269-9836 NOTE: The website shows some higher prices but we can hope they have more reasonable prices at the store, where you can try on your clothes.
SHEPLERS: Contemporary western wear, boots and hats - moderate prices. Most are still perfectly acceptable for our game. WEBSITE: www.sheplers.com
And don't forget your local thrift stores! In fact, our recommendation for thriftiness is to look over the clothing sites for ideas and rummage through your own closet or costume bins. I'll bet you can all come up with a great costume without spending a cent. And if you still want to spice up your outfit, I wager there are great finds in your local thrift stores to give it the extra bully. In fact, that's where I'm planning to get my kit!
SHOOTIN' IRONS:
EDISON: These gummy pistols and rifles are the classic ones that we love so!The Edison Magnum revolver is the game standard revolver. They are both realistic in appearance and accurate in firing. The other smaller revolvers such as the Fred Murray revolver are also perfectly acceptable.
The rifles & shotguns are all excellent choices for the game as well. Mike Peterson shotgun, Speedy Kid lever action rifle, Johnny Palmer revolver carbine, Olympic Over/Under shotgun and Hawkins muzzle-loading rifle. (GM NOTE - I do NOT recommend the Hawkins rifle for our game. It looks great, but without serious modification, it has very poor range and functionality.)
Extra gummy round's for these toy guns are a must and available, though they can be expensive.
Cheap foam swords are also available.
WEBSITE: www.kapowwe.com/mm5/merchant.mvc put "gummy" in the search field to see all the gummy items and their availability.
NOTE: Kapowee appears to the only major importer of the Edison line, so their prices are usually the highest around and availability fluctuates regularly. Checking Ebay under "Edison Gun" or "Edison Ammo" can sometimes turn up these items, likely around the same price. But as anything at auction, Caveat Emptor.
PARRIS: This manufacturer that appears to make knock-off versions of the Edison revolver, shotgun, lever action rifle AND revolver carbine (JUST discovered there this weekend!) as well as gummy ammo. They are priced a little cheaper than Kapowwe.
WEBSITE: www.Amazon.com put "parris sportsman" in the search field. www.basspro.com search field terms "revolver toy" and "rubber ammo" (On the listing for the rubber ammo, the page indicates that they have the Sportsman Shotgun as well, but my search turned up nothing, perhaps they are out of stock.)
NOTE: For some reason though, the lever action won't come up, so just find it towards the bottom of the page of the Sportsman shotgun. It it possible that the Parris guns are available elsewhere but this is where they were first found.
NERF: With a good paint job (and a re-sculpt if you are so inclined) some of these weapons (found at Target or Toys R Us or other local retailers) will also be good weapons for the game. Remember, we want it to look wild west like... a bit of a steampunk flair is perfectly fine. Examples: From the N-Strike line- Maverick, Longstrike, Secret Strike, the guns from the Quick Blast set or the Attack Unit. From the N-Force line, the swords, axe or mace.
And of course, more ammo is always a wise investment.
www.hasbro.com/nerf (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
NXT GENERATION: Recently I found that Bass Pro Shops was carrying toy guns for kids. As listed above under PARRIS, they sell the Sportsman Revolver and the Mike Peterson Shotgun. I also found a much nicer pump action toy shotgun that looks accurate and fires nerf darts at Bass Pro Shop. The reviews are mixed and it sounds like it would need a spring mod to give it some extra distance and accuracy. I'll try to check it out after Game 1, but in time for Game 2 in case players want to invest the time and money.
LINK: http://www.basspro.com/NXT-Generation-Toy-Shotgun-for-Kids/product/10209036/-1762467
Also, non-Nerf foam weapons can be found searching here or other retail sites using Toy Zone or Buzz Bee as the key phrase. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
As with all toy guns and melee weapons in DARK FRONTIERS, the GM has the final say on whether they are usable for game.
FANCY DUDS!
WALKER 47Period accurate western costuming, boots and hats.
WEBSITE: www.walker47.com
RETAIL INFO:
Walker 47
1238 S. Beach Blvd.
#K (in Hobby City)
Anaheim, CA 92804.
CONTACT: Telephone: (714) 484-8171, fax (714) 484-8179; email: info@walker47.com
COUNTRY GENERAL STORE
Contemporary western wear.
WEBSITE: www.countrygeneralstore.com .
RETAIL INFO:
Country General Store
6279 Van Nuys Blvd
Van Nuys CA 91401.
CONTACT: Phone 818-782-8327 or 800-269-9836
NOTE: The website shows some higher prices but we can hope they have more reasonable prices at the store, where you can try on your clothes.
SHEPLERS:
Contemporary western wear, boots and hats - moderate prices. Most are still perfectly acceptable for our game.
WEBSITE: www.sheplers.com
CABELAS:
Sort through this link to find some western style holsters and belts.
They are more affordable than many of the other Western Wear Gun Rigs you may find online. You can always get a cheap holster and wear it on a regular belt.
WEBSITE: http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/shooting-cowboy-action-cowboy-action-accessories/_/N-1100296/Ns-CATEGORY_SEQ_104283180?WTz_l=Unknown;cat104792580;cat104713380
SCHOOLIN'!
These pages are essentially wild west dictionaries of period words and terms.http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-slang.html
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~poindexterfamily/OldWestSlang.html
And don't forget your local thrift stores! In fact, our recommendation for thriftiness is to look over the clothing sites for ideas and rummage through your own closet or costume bins. I'll bet you can all come up with a great costume without spending a cent. And if you still want to spice up your outfit, I wager there are great finds in your local thrift stores to give it the extra bully. In fact, that's where I'm planning to get my kit!